| Morning of December 1– 1248 - Huge hall of the castle of Acre - Attila |

“Message from the King of Jerusalem to the whole kingdom.

Anyone in the kingdom, regardless of race, sex, religion but over 16 years of age is invited, if they wish, to Acre to carry out an examination done by the King himself. Anyone who passes the exam can be chosen to be a minister of the kingdom.

You have until 1 December to introduce yourselves. "

So went the announcement made by Bruno.

And today is the day of the exam, I never thought I would be a "teacher" who gives a test to his students.

I entered the huge room where 128 people sat on their desks.

The message was addressed to all those who were over 16 (at that time it was adulthood) so I found both Europeans and Arabs there. Both old and young.

Unexpectedly there were also some girls and, even if the announcement allowed them to participate, I was amazed that their number was not so small.

I thought that, especially in the Middle East and their Islamic religion, women did not have an easy life and therefore did not have adequate education.

The hall, upon my arrival, had become silent. No one was speaking anymore.

I started walking among the benches telling him: << Thanks to all of you for being here today. As you already know, the role of the minister cannot be achieved lightly. Being a minister is almost as big a responsibility as being a King. If the King is the head, the ministers only have his hands, and as such, they must know how to do all the basic things and not their role. To deem a competent minister, I have to speak to him in person, but I don't have all this time to judge you one by one. So, I have prepared this test personally for you. Rest assured, none of you will be able to complete it in full. But those who manage to do at least 80% will be guaranteed a private interview with me. That said, when my servants have distributed the evidence to everyone you can start, you will have time until the sun goes down >>

I went to my desk, which was on the other side of the room and gave the servants the tests.

<< If you think you have finished the test, passed or not, or it is too difficult for you, or you have thought about it for some reason, then you are free to leave the room at any time >>

Once the servants distributed the evidence, I started the trial.

The proof consists, more or less, of simple mathematical and logical problems but with ever-increasing difficulty. In addition to some free choice answers in political questions, just to see if you have the courage to take responsibility.

Now all that remains is to wait and correct the first ones that finish.

 

| Evening of 1 December - 1248 - Huge hall of the castle of Acre - Attila |

After a few hours from the start of the task, more than half of the participants left their desks and, correcting them almost immediately, saw that they had done nothing or very little.

In short, those who have given up.

At lunchtime, another 30 people had left the classroom.

Correcting their homework, they are the ones who knew a little something and who completed the questions in no particular order, but we are always talking about a little stuff.

During the afternoon, however, almost all of them left.

The only one left was me who was correcting their homework.

Suddenly Bruno entered the door, seeing me alone in this large room and asked me: << Your Majesty, what are you doing here all alone?>>

<< I am correcting all the tests of the new ministers, always if they pass them >>

<< Are you sure you don't want a hand? >>

<< No, I have to correct them >>

There was a minute of silence between us, then Bruno asked me: << Your Majesty, he became King only a few days and being very young he already amazed me. I didn't think it would allow Muslims and even women to participate. Why did he allow them to participate too? >>

<< Bruno, the people I have to have around must be capable. That is, they must be smart. Remember my words well Bruno: everyone can be smart. I need the best, not lickers doing anything >>

<< But don't you think that this way the Pope will get angry? >>

<< I don't care what the Pope thinks. Now that I am King of this kingdom, I have to think only and exclusively about it >>

<< I understand, actually I don't even care that much. Then I leave it to your work, Your Majesty >>

<< If you want you to have the evening off Bruno, but at least tell the cooks to prepare dinner for me >>

<< Certainly Your Majesty>>

 

| Morning of December 2 - 1248 - The provisional throne room of Acre Castle - Attila |

In the end, only two people managed to do better than the remaining 126 participants.

They were a girl and a boy of 16, brothers.

The male was called Mansour, while his sister Aaliya.

These two people, the best, stood in front of me.

They were taut like strings on a guitar.

I was on the throne, they in the chairs in front of me.

I said: << Well, you two are the only ones to have done at least 80% of my test. I congratulate you, I already knew that only a few would pass it, but I didn't expect it to be you. Before I ask you any questions, do you have something to tell me? >>

They both stared at me as if they didn't know what to say, then Mansour said: << Hi, Y-Your Majesty. M-My n-name is Mansour-r. Me and m-my sister a-are honoured to be in your p-presence >>

Was he that tense?

Once having seen the brother in difficulty, the sister intervened: << Your Majesty, please forgive my brother. Usually, it doesn't behave like this >>

<< What are you saying Aaliya ?! Don't ridicule me in front of the King! >>

<< Stupid, you're making us look bad! >>

<< Of course, if you describe me as a madman it is obvious that I look bad! >>

I could watch them fight forever.

Maybe because I was tired since last night, because of this curtain of theirs I started laughing out loud.

The two of them looked at me in shock as they realized they were arguing in front of me.

<< Do not worry you two, sit down >>

The two sat down, both becoming mute.

I continued: << Don't worry, you can speak sincerely with me. At least when it's just the three of us alone. That said, it is very strange that you two have enough knowledge to pass my test. How come you two know so much? >>

Here it was the sister who answered: << His question is legitimate, but I don't know if he will be happy with the answer ... >>

<< You can tell me everything, without any problem >>

The sister continued to be insecure, so the brother took courage and continued: << We are children of a rich family in Jerusalem. Once our parents died, our uncle took us with him and used the inheritance to buy us many books. So during our childhood, we studied from those books. But a few days ago, with the arrival of your army, they robbed us of all our books and beat our uncle. So we ran out of money. Once we saw your announcement, our uncle, with the little savings he had, sent us here to take the exams to become ministers >>

These are the consequences of the wars and my words.

Jerusalem as a whole has not been sacked, but perhaps some soldiers have done their own thing.

Their happy and peaceful family has been destroyed by this futile war.

While I was thinking about these things I was silent, this situation made the sister think that I was offended and she said to her brother: << See? I knew we didn't have to tell him! >>

I continued: << Don't worry, I understand your situation well. Indeed I am sorry that you have had to suffer in this way. We hadn't been permitted to plunder Jerusalem, but maybe some asshole did it anyway. Even so, it was our responsibility, please forgive me >>

I bowed my head in apology, the sister immediately said: << Your Majesty! Please don't lower your head! By now what has happened has happened, you don't need to apologize for>>

I raised my head and trying to change the subject I said: << I understand, I'm sorry anyway. Having said that, give me your personal opinion on the test. Was it easy or difficult? >>

So it was that we were finally able to speak in peace.

 

| Evening of December 2 - 1248 - Acre Castle Bedroom - Attila |

I was lying on my comfortable bed.

This afternoon has been really good, it's been a long time since I talked to anyone like that.

Someone knocked on the door, it was Alexios.

<< Did you call me Attila? >>

<< Yes, sit here for a moment >>

He sat down in the chair.

I told him: << I received a letter from the King of France, asking if I could send you to him. Since he has recognized your stamina from the time you rowed on the boat, he wants to keep you under his protective wing. As you know, it was a proposal that I could not refuse, since I am King also thanks to him now. So in a few days, you will leave from him >>

He was silent for a while, then he said to me: << Attila, are you sure you want to send me to him? I would prefer to stay as your soldier rather than stay with him >>

<< I understand Alexios but, if he sent me a private letter just for you, there must be a reason. Let's do this, you stay with him for a few months, while you send me some letters, and then you come back here to be okay? >

With a face of sadness, Alexios told me: << Okay, let's do this >>

<< Well, then go back to your rooms >>

<< Of course, Your Majesty >>

So it was that he went away.

I understand that for him it is a sudden and bad thing, but at least that is how he stays away from the war.

 

| Morning of December 3 - 1248 - Acre Castle Bedroom - Attila |

I was still sleeping when someone kept knocking on my door.

<< Your Majesty, can I enter?! >>

<< You enter >>

It was Bruno.

Once inside he said: << Your Majesty, the Sultan replied! He said that in a week he will be found in Jerusalem! >>

Well, now my first challenge begins.